New Sears spin-off store latest to repopulate Vallejo Corners shopping center

New Sears spin-off store latest to repopulate Vallejo Corners shopping center

Published By Times Herald             http://www.timesheraldonline.com

By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald staff writer

A new Sears Appliance & Mattress store which opened last week, is the latest business helping refill the Vallejo Corners shopping center, adding local jobs and sales tax revenues.

The store opened about a week ago, its sales manager said.

Vallejo's new Economic Development Department Director Mark Sawicki, said in his five weeks on the job, indications are that "things are looking up" for the city, economically speaking.

"We're experiencing more interest in Vallejo generally and in Mare Island, specifically," Sawicki said. "Sales taxes are up year-over-year by 4 percent according to the latest report, which is in line with the state and national economy, and we're cautiously optimistic that that will continue."

Sawicki said he'd characterize 4 percent growth as moderate.

Vallejo Corners, AKA the Target center, was hard hit in the Great Recession. It appears to be experiencing a renaissance, with few, if any, vacant storefronts .

In 2008, by contrast, several center windows displayed signs thanking patrons and saying farewell. Those signs have been replaced by ones reading "Now Open" and "Now Hiring."

Last November, the space occupied by Rasputin music was empty following that firm's move to the Fairfield mall. That space now contains a Rainbow Apparel store, which is hiring, as is the Radio Shack next door. An Anna's Linens opened in the center about this time last year.

The new Sears sales manager, Bill Unger, said the response from shoppers since the store's "soft opening," has been universally positive.

"They're really pleased to see Sears come in so they don't have to go to Fairfield or Concord," he said. "And it goes beyond what people see -- they can order anything from Sears for delivery at this store."

A grand opening is planned for early January, he said. The store employs 10, said Unger, himself a Vallejo resident and un-retired Pitney Bowes manager.

Virginia Pastori, who lives in Crockett but said she once lived in American Canyon and still enjoys shopping in Vallejo, also said the new businesses bode well.

"Maybe business is on an upswing," she said. "I hope it's an indication that it's turning around."

However, Sawicki and at least one other community member say bringing new business is only part of the story.

"The perception of crime has to be dealt with, and that takes time," he said. "Are we hiring more police? Yes. Can we hire them fast enough? No."